With one hand he unbuckled his pants, shoving them midway down his thighs as he continued to devour me.
I was distantly aware of him putting on a condom as my thighs shook with the oncoming orgasm. A moment before I went over the edge, he moved up my body, thrusting inside me. Still partially clothed, his muscular arms braced at either side of my head, the raw desire in his face as he stared down at me was nearly overwhelming. The fact that this gorgeous, powerful man wanted me and shared that fact so openly had a wave of emotion coursing through me. His name was a broken rasp on my tongue as I went over the edge.
“Another one,” he gritted out, his muscles straining as his powerful body took mine. “I need another one.”
In one fluid motion, he flipped me to my front, hauling my hips up, and in the next breath he was taking me from behind. I sucked in a breath at the new angle as the bed inched across the floor from the power of his thrusts. He smacked my behind, and I quaked under him, almost fearful of what was building inside me.
“That’s it, baby,” he grunted. “I’ve got you,” he encouraged. “Get there.”
He reached around and slid a finger over my bundle of nerves. That was all I needed. I shrieked into the pillow as I went over, with him following seconds later, his low groan of release the most satisfying sound I’d ever heard. I collapsed to my belly, and he followed, his weight reassuring as we both panted for breath.
When I shifted slightly, he rolled off, pulling me against his front so we were spooning. “Holy shit,” he panted. “Didn’t even take my pants all the way off.”
I burst out laughing as he squeezed my hip and nuzzled my neck. Finally, he sat up, pulling his boots and socks off and his jeans the rest of the way down his legs while I admired the view. He turned to look at me over his shoulder. “Come on, baby, let’s shower.”
****
“All right, chief, what gives?” Cash’s voice was sleepy as he held me close, his hand splayed on my hip. After an extended shower that had included getting dirty again, we were lying side by side in the dark. “It’s like you’re forcing yourself to pull away.”
I swallowed, trying to organize my response to his very accurate observation. “Me and Ri have been an us for two years. I gave up a lot for that us,” I shared as his hand flexed on my hip in a sign of support. “It wasn’t natural to me, I screwed up a lot in the beginning. I didn’t know what the hell I was doing. I still don’t sometimes.” I snorted. “Sometimes our lives are messy and disorganized. But it means more to me than anything in this world.”
“And you don’t want me to break that,” he surmised quietly.
I breathed out a sigh of relief that he hadn’t made me say it. “I don’t think you would on purpose,” I assured him. “But she already wants a daddy so much. And you’re so good with her. I see her starting to let you in. Riley’s world is small. You have the capacity to encompass so much of it. She loves so big. What if you decide that being domestic isn’t actually your thing? What if this doesn’t work out for any number of reasons? I have to think about her—I have to protect her. And you’re like a freight train about to bowl me right over,” I admitted.
I expected a fight in return, but instead he turned me to face him, his blue eyes shining with a challenge I didn’t comprehend. “What if you don’t try at all?”
He’d zeroed in on the one question I’d asked myself over and over again. The single reason I’d let him in at all.
When I couldn’t formulate the words to reply, he continued, “Baby, I don’t intend to walk away. And I could never replace who you are to Ri and what you two have built together. I don’t ever want to do that, I couldn’t. All I’m asking is for a chance to have a spot on the team.”
The combination of his loving tone and the words he spoke with such longing had me dropping my forehead to his chest.
He rubbed my back in soothing circles. “I know I’m coming on strong. We’ve talked about this. And anyone else? I’d back way off. Hell, I would have never cared to try in the first place. But with you, it’s all I want in the world. And I know if I did back off, you’d never let me in. I’m going to fight for you, Layla.”
Damn, how could I ever argue with that?
“It’s really easy to get used to you being around,” I admitted, my voice muffled as I remained with my face buried in his chest.
He wrapped his arms around me, pulling me closer. “Well, that’s the idea, chief.” He chuckled, kissing the top of my head. “Let’s get some sleep. I’ll set my alarm for early so that I’m back on the couch by the time Ri wakes up.”
“Okay, thank you.” I sighed sleepily as I burrowed as close to him as possible, breathing him in.
When his voice came again a short time later, I wasn’t sure if I was dreaming already. “What you don’t seem to get here, baby, is that the only heart that could get broken in this is mine.”
Chapter 12
CASH
“What’d you find out?” I asked Gunner as I leaned over his shoulder, looking at his laptop at the club a few days later.
“Other than he’s a piece of shit?” he quipped as he scrolled through the research he’d been compiling on Layla’s brother.
“Knew that already.” I grunted. “What’s he into?”
“That’s the thing, man,” he began, looking vexed. “Guy’s clearly not on the up-and-up but I don’t see anything to point me to what’s goin’ on with Layla. He’s been in and out of jail for the past couple of years. A short stint for possession with intent to sell and some other petty shit, but nothing major. He seems to be keeping a pretty low profile down in Florida.”
“Maybe he got into something bigger than he was ready for,” I put in.
“Maybe,” he allowed. “But I gotta admit, that’s not what my gut tells me. Maybe—”
“It’s not the brother at all,” I concluded. On the one hand, I’d be relieved Layla’s flesh and blood, Riley’s father, hadn’t been the cause of the break-in. On the other, not knowing what the fuck was going on was something else entirely.
“Fuck,” I grunted, pushing back from the table and running a hand in agitation through my hair. “I have zero to fucking go on if it’s not the brother. She doesn’t really have any serious exes. Work’s steady, but as a contractor, no regular coworkers.”
He eyed me with concern. “I get it, man. You know I’ll help however I can.”
“Right. Thanks for your help, man.” I clapped him on the back as he shut his laptop.
“No worries, brother. Other than this shit, how’s things with Layla?”
“Good.” I nodded. Thing were more than good. I’d made sure of it for the past three nights I’d spent in her bed. “I’ve gotta head out, gonna meet her at the gym.”
“The gym bunnies get the memo that you’re off the market?” He chortled.
“I’ll stamp it on my fucking forehead if I have to,” I ground out. I’d never been comfortable with the attention in the first place. Now? It felt like an insult to Layla every time it happened. Word had spread I was spoken for, but some bitches didn’t care about that shit. Hell, for some it was a challenge.
He chuckled. “Now that I’ve gotta see.”
“Later, brother,” I replied by way of answer, throwing up a two-fingered salute and making my way out to my bike. My jeans tightened at the idea of Layla behind me, her luscious body pressed to mine. With Riley, we hadn’t been able to ride yet.
But I had to plan to change that. Very soon.
Just had to make sure she went for it.
****
“Remember to keep your fists up,” I reminded Layla a short time later as we wrapped up a boxing session in the empty studio at the back of the gym.
She looked gorgeous with her cheeks flushed and hair thrown up in a haphazard bun. Her gorgeous body was on distracting display in a sports bra and tights that left little to the imagination.
I’d be all over her if I didn’t know how important this was to her.
She smiled, pleased. “Thanks. I’m gonna do a quick run on the treadmill.”
I smacked her ass. “You’re gonna put a shirt on first.”
She stared at my bare chest, her brow raised in challenge. “I will if you will.”
I pulled her close, kissing her neck and squeezing her ass. “There’s only one woman I want lookin’ at me anyway. You’ve got a deal.”
We walked out into the main gym hand in hand, now both dressed in the shirts we’d discarded during training. “What’s on for the rest of the day?” I asked.
“Have to get back to work and then picking up Ri,” she replied. “Are you coming over later?”
I’d spent every night under her roof since we’d met, and still that glimmer of doubt shone in her eyes when she asked. “You know it.” I nodded, slinging my arm over her shoulders. I could be patient as long as it took for her to trust me. “I actually wanted to ask you something.”
She looked at me expectantly as I pulled her closer.
“I’d like to take you girls out tonight. I was thinking burgers and then maybe we could catch that new Disney movie. I did some research, and it seems like it would be okay for Ri.”
Her face softened as a gorgeous smile tilted her luscious mouth. “That sounds perfect.”
I grinned. “Good. I’ll head over after I’m done here, probably about six. Come get me when you’re done, and I’ll walk you to your car. Have a good run.” I gave her ass another squeeze. I couldn’t seem to keep my hands off her.
She tipped her head up, kissing me briefly before walking off toward the cardio equipment. I watched her go, practically drooling like a teenager. Damn, but the woman was fine.
“Eyes off!” I bellowed to a man whose gaze tracked Layla’s ass as she crossed the room.
Layla shot me a look over her shoulder.
I shrugged in response. That ass and those amazing tits and those kissable dimples at the small of her back were all mine. As was her larger-than-life heart that I wanted to claim more than any other part of her.
It hit me like a pile of bricks as I watched her begin a steady jog on the treadmill.
Holy shit, I loved her.
Chapter 13
LAYLA
“Baby, we’re just going for burgers,” I reminded Riley after she’d come downstairs outfitted in her pink party dress and sparkly Mary Janes. I’d told her we were going out with Cash, and she’d squealed in delight and promptly run up the stairs.
Now I knew what she’d been up to.
She put her hands on her hips. “You should put on a dress, Mama,” she chided, looking at my jeans and tee in clear dismay.
Sometimes I seriously wondered if there was a fifteen-year-old trapped in my five-year-old’s body.
“Not tonight, sweetie,” I replied as I cleaned up the kitchen while we waited for Cash.
When her big blue eyes filled with unexpected tears, I went to her, crouching to her level. “What’s wrong, baby?”
“You have to wear a party dress,” she insisted, her lips trembling with emotion.
“Honey, why is it so important to you that I wear a dress?” I prodded gently.
“Because you put on a party dress when something is important.”
In a way, her rationale made complete sense. When I thought about it, all of her major life events had involved dressing up, whether it was a birthday party or even when Nan had died.
“That’s true,” I murmured just as the doorbell rang. “Just one second, Ri.” I rose to my feet, opening the door to Cash, who carried two bouquets of flowers.
My heart melted as he handed one to me, kissing me chastely before extending the other to Riley.
Her teary eyes widened in awe as she stared at the flowers.
“What’s with the tears, darlin’?” he asked as he stepped into the room, shutting the door behind him.
“Mama won’t put on a party dress,” she wailed as I set both bouquets on the counter.
Cash shot me a look of mixed amusement and confusion as he scooped her up in his arms. “Well, you look very pretty in your dress,” he assured her. “And your mama looks very pretty too.” He shot me a wink over her head.
“We were just finishing up a little talk,” I explained as he followed me over to the couch, sitting next to her. I once again crouched in front of her, wanting to get to the bottom of this. It was rare for Riley to get so upset, and I wanted to understand why. It was about more than a dress, that much was obvious.
“Baby, I hardly ever wear dresses,” I reminded her gently.
Her lips quivered. “I know, but this is important. And you wear dresses when it’s important. If you don’t wear a dress, he won’t know it’s important and maybe he won’t want to keep us,” she whispered with wide, tear-filled eyes.
I swallowed back my own emotions, unable to look at Cash as I thought desperately how to respond to her.
But in that moment, for the first time ever, I had someone there to help me navigate.
“Do you remember what you were wearing the first day I met you?” Cash surprised me by speaking first, wrapping an arm around Riley and pulling her in to his side.
She shook her head no.
“Well, I do. I remember what you and your mama were wearing. And it wasn’t dresses. And guess what? That was the very most important day of my life because I met you and your mama.”
Her eyes widened in wonder as now it became my turn to fight back tears.
“So, you can wear dresses, baby. But for the really important stuff? The stuff that can change your life? It’s about what’s in your heart, not what you’re wearing. Does that make sense?”
She burrowed into his side, nodding as I squeezed her knee. “I still think Mama looks pretty in dresses though,” she replied, clearly appeased but still pressing her point. I loved her determined spirit no matter how challenging it could be at times. “Can we get burgers now?”
“Yeah, baby. We can,” he replied, his eyes on me.
Then it struck me, like a lightning bolt to the gut that despite its ferocity, hit with a delicious burn.
Holy hell, I loved him.
Chapter 14
LAYLA
I glanced at my watch, my phone tucked to my ear as I headed to my car two weeks later. I’d wrapped a shoot outside of Reno, and despite it being a relatively easy job, I was still running behind.
The light had been perfect, the sun just beginning to dip beyond the horizon as I shot photos for a local bank’s campaign.
“Chief,” Cash greeted after the first ring. I’d debated calling him, but I knew if I didn’t, he’d be upset. And I also knew he was ready for this. We both were.
The last two weeks had been amazing. Cash came over every night and had dinner with us, spending the night with me once Riley had gone to sleep. He still snuck back down to the couch before Riley got up, but I was ready to be done with that, I just hadn’t told him yet.
Riley was becoming more and more comfortable with him and now, finally, it didn’t scare me. Instead I relished every smile she gave him, every time they sat together reading. She’d even asked for him to tuck her in the night before. The grin on his face had been one of the most gorgeous things I’d ever seen.
And as for the break-in, there hadn’t been any other incidents. I was tired of having someone follow me around all day. After a heated argument, Cash had relented, making me promise to be vigilant, to set the alarm, but he acknowledged there was a possibility it had been just a random incident.
“Hi, honey. I’m running a bit late. I was wondering if it would be possible for you to pick up Riley?” I winced as I said it. Not because I didn’t trust him, but because it still felt odd to ask for help. He’d helped in so many ways since we’d met but I’d never asked for him to take care of Riley.
There was the slightest pause before he responded, his voice deeper than normal. “Of c
ourse I will.”
I could hear the feeling in his voice as I replied with a grateful, “Thank you. I shouldn’t be much later than six. I have an extra booster in the garage.”
“It’s not a problem. Already have one,” he replied, surprising me. “I’ll scoop her up, pick up dinner, and we’ll meet you at home.”
Home.
It didn’t escape me that he’d helped make it one.
“Cash, I….” I tried to find the words.
“I know, baby,” he murmured. “See you in a bit. Drive safe.”
“I will,” I assured him as I started my car, intent on getting home to both of them. Not long into my drive, I realized how low I was on gas. “Shit,” I mumbled. The last thing I wanted to do was stop, but I didn’t have much of a choice. I pulled into the first station I saw, a small run-down spot in the middle of an expanse of freeway and not much else.
When the same motorcycles that I’d noticed behind me for the last few miles pulled in, the hair on my arms stood up. At first, I’d thought maybe they were Knights, but I didn’t recognize either of them and they didn’t wear the trademark cut with the Knights emblem. I waved it off, telling myself I was being paranoid as I went about filling my tank.
One man got off his bike, I noted from the corner of my eye, heading into the convenience store, while the other busied himself with looking over his bike. I breathed a small measure of relief, turning back toward my car.
The arm came as if out of nowhere, wrapping around my neck and hauling me backward. I let out a scream before a hand clamped around my mouth as he continued to pull me toward the bathrooms.
I kicked out, fighting with all I had, biting at his hand, trying to find purchase with one of my boots. He was incredibly strong, seemingly undeterred by my ministrations.
He hauled me behind the restrooms, pressing my back to the wall, his hand around my neck. That’s when I got my first look at the large, long-haired man with a spiderweb tattooed on his temple. He pressed just hard enough on my neck that I had to fight for every breath.
Cash Page 7
